The Importance of Local Elections to the Building & Remodeling Industry

On September 25, 2015

Didn't make the September dinner meeting? Then you missed a lively and informative discussion between Kerry O'Brien, NYC/LI NARI Chairman and Mitch Pally, CEO of LIBI, on the importance of local elections to our industry.

According to Pally, elections are decided on relatively few votes, especially in New York state, which has the 2nd lowest voter turnout in the country. "The amount of people in this room can actually sway the turnout of a local election," Pally said.

LIBI and NYC/LI NARI formed a joint Political Action Committee in 2014. The PAC represents over 750 area building, remodeling and trade-related companies. The two organizations decided that their ability to influence political activity would be greatly benefited by working together, rather than apart.

On April 28th, NARI joined forces with LIBI and took a trip to the New York State Capital to make our collective voices heard in Albany. Meetings were held with legislators such as Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Senator Phil Boyle, Senator Tom Croci’s Chief of Staff, Chrisopher Molluso, Assemblyman Chuck Lavine and Assemblyman Robin Schimminger.

"It is essential for our association to be in the forefront of the political issues that are significant to our members and to the remodeling industry.” said Executive Director Regina Biondo. "Since joining the PAC, our membership as a whole has become more aware of the importance of being seen and heard," she added.

"The candidates up for election affect the issues directly impacting the building industry," said Kerry O'Brien. "It's important that they hear our collective voice, that's why I encourage all NYC/LI NARI members to attend the upcoming candidate screenings arranged by LIBI."

Below are the times and dates of 3 candidate screening sessions.

Friday Sept. 25th

12:00 Mary Kay Mullin Islip town council

12:30 Bridget Fleming Suffolk County Legislature

1:00 Mary Kay Barket North Hempstead town council

1:30 Connie Kepert Brookhaven town council

2:00 Amos Goodman Suffolk County Legislature

2:30 Jay Schneiderman Southampton Supervisor

Thursday Oct 1st

12:00 Anna Kaplan North Hempstead town council

12:30 Kevin McCaffrey Suffolk County Legislature

Monday Oct 5th

12:00 Tim Sini Suffolk County Legislature

12:30 Keith Barrett Huntington town council

1:30 Eugene Cook Huntington town council

2:30 Valerie Cartright Brookhaven town council

"It's critical to the success of all that we must let the candidates know that we are strong, we are involved and we vote. Whether you have specific questions for the candidates or not, your presence at the screenings creates a very strong impression upon the candidates that our votes are critical to their being elected," said Will Hubbs, Chair of LIBI's Community Outreach. "We need to support town boards that understand how important the continued growth in the construction industry is to the continued growth of the economy on Long Island," he added.